Prepare for Admission
Our program hosts various in-person and virtual recruitment events throughout the academic year.
College students
A broad undergraduate experience helps prepare students for a rigorous, science-based veterinary curriculum. You can complete the prerequisites needed to apply to WSU’s Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program as an undergraduate student at WSU or any school you attend.
Pre-veterinary study is a preparatory track that can be incorporated into any major. As long as you complete the general core requirements for veterinary school, you can select any undergraduate major you wish.
Students spending more than two years in a pre-professional program are encouraged to take additional elective biomedical science courses, including highly recommended but not required courses in mammalian or comparative anatomy, animal science, cell biology, computer science, embryology, histology, immunology, microbiology, nutrition, physics II, physiology, or other biomedical sciences.
Other pathways to a DVM degree at WSU
Honors pre-admit program in veterinary medicine
The Honors College and College of Veterinary Medicine offer an Honors pre-admit program. Successful completion of this joint program takes seven years and results in the attainment of a Bachelor of Science degree and a DVM.
Combined program in animal sciences and veterinary medicine
The Department of Animal Sciences offers the Combined Program in Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine.
More ways you can prepare to apply
- Shadow a veterinarian or volunteer at a local clinic. Be sure to keep track of the hours and as the contact information of the veterinarians with whom you work.
- Keep a log of your extracurricular activities (dates of membership, offices held, special projects you accomplished, etc.); any honors, awards, or scholarships you receive; and service in your community.
- Develop your interpersonal and communication skills. While veterinary medicine is rooted in science, the best veterinarians are skilled doctors as well as good communicators.
- Visit American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges and Veterinary Medical School Admission Requirements
Pre-veterinary advising
For students who are enrolled or plan to take undergraduate coursework at WSU to prepare for applying to the veterinary program. Pre-veterinary study is a preparatory track that can be incorporated into any major. Schedule an appointment.
Individual advising
Applicants should thoroughly review our website before requesting individual advising. Our admissions requirements page clearly outlines the admissions process and criteria for our program.
If you still need additional assistance, please complete the Individual Advising Request to help us better address your needs as a prospective applicant. The admissions staff will only review your survey response, application reviews are not provided. Most requests will receive an email response.
Meetings are offered on a limited basis to individuals with extenuating circumstances that would benefit from one-on-one advising with a member of the admissions team. High school (or younger) students should reach out to pre-health or pre-veterinary advisors for support. Prerequisite and/or course/transcript evaluations are not provided.
Visit and explore
Experience our academically rich and welcoming community.
Tour the veterinary hospital, sign up for an admissions meeting, or schedule a campus visit.
High school students
Becoming a veterinarian usually requires eight years of academic training after high school. Applicants complete undergraduate coursework and the majority earn a bachelor’s degree. The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program at WSU is an additional four years in biomedical science and clinical training.
As a high school student, you can prepare now for admission to college. Although it is important to take as many math and science classes as you can, we also look for students who are well-rounded, with various interests.
High school courses that will provide the best foundation for our college pre-veterinary curriculum are laboratory sciences (chemistry, physics, and biology), math, and English.
Interested in volunteering at the WSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital?
Undergraduate student interns work a minimum of 6 hours per week, learning valuable skills and gaining experience they can put to use in veterinary school and beyond.
Interested in a Veterinary Paraprofessional Certificate
Gain clinic experience before applying to veterinary school. The paraprofessional program combines online learning and hands-on, side-by-side training with veterinarians.
Get your WSU College of Veterinary Medicine gear!
Sweatshirts, scrubs, tees, hats, water bottles, license plate frames, and more at the Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA) Bookstore.*
Also see our Pumpkin the Cow Collection.*
*Not a WSU store or affiliated store
Tours & Visits
Pullman is located in the Palouse region of the Inland Northwest, homelands of the Nimíipuu (Nez Perce) Tribe and Palus people. The Palouse has one of the most beautiful and unique landscapes in the world. Rolling hills and wide-open skies give the region its distinctive appeal.
Residents enjoy outdoor activities and the benefits of small town living with the cultural richness of bigger city life.